Pascale Van Damme to Secure European Seat for Women on FIFA Ruling Council

Pascale van Damme, the president of Belgian soccer federation is all set to join the ruling council of FIFA. She served as the only candidate to run for a seat which has been reserved specifically for a female official coming from Europe.

In addition, Pascale will be responsible for running unopposed while being elected at UEFA meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, as stated by UEFA. She is a former technology industry executive who got elected to lead Belgian soccer even less than 2 years ago. Also, she is in line to acquire a 4-year term in FIFA post that will pay $250,000 annually.

Replacing a former 2006 Turin Olympics official Evelina Christillin, Pascale will be acquiring the new position. Evelina is closely tied to the Juventus-owning Agnelli family who’s leaving after over 8 years in the role. She serves as the first ever female to be elected by UEFA in 2016 for joining the 37-member FIFA council.

Besides, amongst all six continental confederations of soccer, each has a place which is reserved for a female on the FIFA decision-making body while not even one has ever elected a female in a contested vote against men. Now, after Pascale gets elected, this is a significant step by the council.